- project leader
- Amy S
- location
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Miles Davis Way, West 77th St. between WEA and RSD(Upper West Side)
- latest update rss
- Several of the new plaques have been installed
the project
Now entering our seventh season, we once again plan to beautify our block by planting in our expanded and fenced tree beds, and maintaining them throughout the year. In addition to giving volunteers of all ages the opportunity to connect with nature and nurture growing things, we are also promoting environmental stewardship. Larger tree beds divert storm runoff. Denser and healthier tree canopies keep temperatures down during the summer and reduce CO2 emissions. Our work serves as a model for other buildings and blocks.
the steps
January 2022 — tree bed repairs and repainting by Curb Allure
March and April — Produce and replace donor plaques, replace battered "no dogs" signs
April and May -- Purchase plants, soil, mulch; recruit volunteers
May and June — Publicize and hold planting days
May through October -- Maintain tree beds through regular watering, trash removal and weeding
December — Leaf cleanup
January 2023 — Participate in Mulchfest: drop off Christmas trees in Riverside Park and spread the resulting mulch in the beds
why we're doing it
In 2015, Rob decided it was time to improve our beautiful block’s sad look. He recruited Amy, who lives across the street, who in turn recruited her neighbor John, who had independently been eyeing improvements to the long-neglected tree bed in front of their building. In the course of exploring how to effectively and responsibly beautify our block, we learned from the Parks Dept. that the most important thing we could do was expand the size of our tree beds and put tree guards around them, thus helping ensure the long-term health of our trees.
In 2016, we raised close to $30,000 from residents of the block for tree bed expansion, custom-made tree guards, and tools and materials for planting in our newly enlarged and protected tree beds. We raised funds again in 2018 and, now, we are asking you once again to support our annual tree bed planting and maintenance efforts. (We have also received generous in-kind support from our friends at Curb Allure and a matching grant from Con Ed's Power Up program.)
Now entering our seventh season, we continue to attract new volunteers and see the cumulative benefits of our work. Not only has the curb appeal of our block improved dramatically, we have:
- Promoted environmental stewardship
- Facilitated important social ties among neighbors who otherwise would never have met
- Welcomed volunteers from 4 years of age to 90+
- Served as a model block for the Parks Dept. by promoting best practices for tree bed planting and maintenance
- Inspired neighboring buildings to enlarge, protect and beautify their tree beds
- Brought beauty and joy to passersby
- Reduced the dog waste and trash in our tree beds
- Created thriving ecosystems that include earthworms, lady bugs, caterpillars, and slugs -- in formerly inhospitable soil -- which have in turn attracted blue jays, robins and sparrows in search of food
budget
Disbursed budget 5.13.2022
Overage from 2021 (Actual) $540
Tree guard repairs (actual) $501
Tree guard replacement parts (actual) $468.15
New plaques (10@119, 4@$230) $2207.63
New 'No Dogs" Signs (13) $568.71
Plants $1,100
Soil and mulch $100
Tools $200
Additional tree bed fencing $500
Plants Soil and Mulch $1200
Tools, signage, and tree guard parts $439.26
TOTAL RAISED = | $8,400.00 |
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) | $420.00 |
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) | $155.25 |
TOTAL TO DISBURSE= | $7,824.75 |
Updated budget 3.28.22:
Overage from 2021 (actual): $540
Tree guard repairs (actual): $501
Tree guard replacement parts: $140
New plaques: $570
New "no dogs" signs: $530
Tools: $80
Tree bed fencing: $500
Plants: $1,200
Soil and mulch: $100
TOTAL: $4,161
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING NEEDED | $4,161 |
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) | $223 |
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) (Donation processing fee does not apply to match funding.) |
$67 |
TOTAL TO RAISE= | $4,450 |
Donation processing fees apply to donations only. 100% of match funding goes to projects. Please note, fees are estimated here and final numbers may change based on the final amount raised and amount of match funding applied to this campaign.
Original budget:
Overage from 2021 (actual): $581
Tree guard repairs (actual): $501
Tree guard parts: $250
New signage/plaques: $400
Tools: $50
Tree bed fencing: $400
Plants: $900
Soil and mulch: $72
Total: $3,154
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING NEEDED | $3,154 |
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) | $169 |
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) (Donation processing fee does not apply to match funding.) |
$51 |
TOTAL TO RAISE= | $3,373 |
Donation processing fees apply to donations only. 100% of match funding goes to projects. Please note, fees are estimated here and final numbers may change based on the final amount raised and amount of match funding applied to this campaign.
updates
Several of the new plaques have been installed
Posted 10/25/2022 - 10:58pm
A tough summer but nature perseveres
Posted 10/14/2022 - 2:04pm
With the lack of rain and unrelenting heat, it was a tough summer for even the tree beds that were watered daily. But nature is resilient and a surprising number of our plants bounced back following a good soaking. Now, in early October, many are thriving in the cooler, wetter weather.
From inhospitable to healthy tree bed ecosystems
Posted 10/13/2022 - 5:58pm
When we started caring for our tree beds, the ground was hard as a rock and the stench of urine was pervasive. Now, we have thriving little ecosystems. In addition to ladybugs, we have earthworms, caterpillars, slugs and lots of birds in search of food..
Photos from 2022 planting days
Posted 10/12/2022 - 5:20pm
Planting days are here
Posted 05/04/2022 - 10:34am
We’ve stocked up on beautiful annuals. Our first planting day will be Saturday, May 7, from 11:00 am to 2 pm. Meet at the service entrance to 50 RSD or look for us on the block. Next date Sunday, May 15. Other dates TDB.
Wow! Thank you, donors!
Posted 03/31/2022 - 5:48pm
In less than a week, we have raised $3,325 from our generous donors and another $3,225 in matching funds, for a total of $6,550 as of 3/31. This takes us comfortably beyond our revised goal of $4,450 and gives us enough money to take us through 2023. We are keeping the campaign open for another few weeks, so there's still time to give. The more we raise now, the longer we can go without asking you for money again. Thank you for your support!
photos
This is where photos will go once we build flickr integrationdonors
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The Arnsten Foundation, Inc
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Anonymous
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312 West 77th Street
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Andrew S.
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Alan and Anne
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Katie Lacey & David Berson
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Louise & Jerry Kerner
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Jonathan Bach & Alexandra Shapiro
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Love our block!
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Annie K.
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ilene and ED vroom
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Swasi
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Gloria Phares & Richard Dannay
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Olshin Family
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Nancy S.
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Anonymous
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Nicholas B.
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Jeremy W.
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Amy and Jonathan Bergner
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Gloria Phares & Richard Dannay
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Anonymous
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Robert / Melissa S.
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Diane Englander and Mark Underberg
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The Shire Family
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John A.
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Rob Whitman & Jeff Munger
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Patti & Jeffrey D.
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Beryl Abrams
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Sybil Pollet
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John Dunn Michael Fields
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Russell C.
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Diane E.
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Amy Solas and Richard Klein